Page 60 of O Goalie Night
A tall man skates over to us slowly, but he’s not looking at me or even Amelia; he’s staring at Foster, whose eyes are fixed right back at him.
“Ms. Michaels, this is my Dad!”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say as I look nervously between the two men.
“Same.” Her father nods at me before returning to his staring match with Foster. “Hey, Foster.”
Foster looks like he’s seen a ghost. He swallows hard. “Cody.”
CHAPTER 24
FOSTER
My brother’s name sounds foreign as it leaves my mouth. Cody’s voice sounds different, too.
Maybe it’s because I haven’t heard it in a decade, or maybe it’s because this time he’s not telling me to fuck off.
Lose my number. I never want to see your face again.
Those were the last words my brother said to me before he actually pushed me out of our childhood home and slammed the door in my face.
All I can do is stand here and stare at him. In my mind, I always picture him how he looked that day. Red-rimmed eyes filled with hatred. Bloated face and wiry frame.
It’s almost like I’m looking at another version of my brother. He’s got a full beard, which is funny because he was never able to grow one. Flecks of grey pepper it along with the rest of his hair.
He’s put on at least forty pounds since I’ve seen him. Cody’s always been a couple inches shorter than me, but he’s standing tall, looking healthy, maybe even a little soft around the middle.
“Hi!”
I find the young girl staring up at me. The girl with my brother’s eyes and my mother’s name.
“Hi,” I manage, my voice thick. “I’m Foster.”
“Like the goalie?”
“That’s me.”
“No way! I’ve got your jersey! My dad does, too. Our last name is James too!”
It’s too much. It’s all just too fucking much.
“That’s great.” My smile is forced as I look at Beth pleadingly. “We should get going.”
“How do you know Ms. Michaels?” Amelia asks, seemingly oblivious to the tension between the adults around her.
“I’m a friend of her brother’s.” My eyes involuntarily meet Cody’s as I say the word “brother” and he flinches.
“Cool! I don’t have any brothers.”
Good to know.
“I’ll see you at school tomorrow, Amelia.” Beth says before nodding at my brother. “It was nice to meet you, Mr. James.”
“Cody, please,” he tells her.
I walk off the ice not knowing where I’m going, just needing to get away. I feel Beth at my side, her concern palpable.
“Foster, wait.”
